Over 68 lakh accounts under the Maharashtra government’s Ladki Bahin Yojana have been closed after beneficiaries failed to complete the mandatory e-KYC process before the March 31 deadline. Officials said the total number of active beneficiaries has now dropped to around 1.75 crore from 2.43 crore.
Deadline Extended Till April 30
Authorities have extended the e-KYC deadline to April 30, giving beneficiaries another chance to complete verification. Officials indicated that the number of closed accounts could change after the extension period ends.
Verification Drive After Complaints
The large-scale verification was launched after complaints that ineligible individuals, including male members and government employees, were receiving benefits under the scheme. The initiative provides ₹1,500 per month to eligible women from financially weaker sections.
Budget Impact and Monthly Spending
The Maharashtra government currently spends around ₹3,700 crore every month on the scheme. With a reduction in beneficiaries, the total financial outgo is expected to decrease. The budget allocation for 2026–27 stands at ₹26,000 crore, down from ₹36,000 crore in the previous year.
Errors During Verification Process
During the verification drive, over 24 lakh beneficiaries were initially flagged as government employees due to confusion caused by a Marathi question. After review, nearly 20 lakh were found eligible, while verification of remaining cases is still ongoing.
Scheme Launched Before Elections
The Ladki Bahin Yojana was introduced by the Mahayuti government ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections as a major welfare initiative targeting women.
No Recovery From Ineligible Beneficiaries
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have clarified that the government will not recover funds from beneficiaries found to be ineligible. They also assured that the scheme will continue and will not be discontinued despite the large-scale account closures.
